Related Articles

Tobermory, Ontario is at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and is surrounded by water on three sides. The Fathom Five National Marine Park boasts 22 shipwrecks, many of which you can view without scuba gear. Georgian Bay features clear water, natural stone and sandy beaches, and many places to enjoy snorkeling in summer. Check with the local weather office before entering the water; the bay can become quite turbulent.

Novice Shipwrecks

Tobermory has some dramatic shipwrecks, many over 100 years old, that are in water shallow enough for snorkeling. The Charles P. Minch sank in 1898 and now rests in 20 to 55 feet of water. The shallow end of the wreck is at the head of Tecumseh Cove. This is considered a novice adventure. Another easy-to-view wreck is the Newaygo, sunk in 1903. It rests in 25 feet of water between the Middle and Northwest Banks.

More Shipwrecks for Snorkeling

The wooden steamer City of Grand Rapids burned and sank in 1879 and sits in 15 feet of water. If you know how to dive using a snorkel, you can actually get up close with this novice wreck. The Sweepstakes is another novice wreck with a maximum depth of 20 feet. It is a schooner that sank in 1885. The water around this wreck is shallow, clear and warmer than that of most other wrecks in the area. The W.L. Wetmore is another easy dive for snorkelers in 20 feet of water. It sank in a storm in 1901.

The Caves

The Caves is actually a misnomer. This natural cavern is a popular site for divers and snorkelers alike. With three entrances, two underwater and one above, it is easy to enter and exit regardless of skill level. It is 20 feet at its deepest.

Getting There

Not all the shipwrecks are easily accessible from shore, so you may want to catch a boat out to them. Divers Den (diversden.ca) offers snorkel gear and wetsuits for rent or purchase, and boat tours that will take you to the best snorkeling sites. All captains are knowledgeable about the wrecks and snorkeling and can give advice on how to approach both if you are a novice.

Tours

Huron Scuba (huronscuba.com) offers weekend tours of the Tobermory area featuring snorkeling, hiking and shore activities. You will visit some of the best wrecks and learn about the history of the Great Lakes. G+S Watersports (gswatersports.net) offers shorter tours and will take you to several of the most popular wrecks, lighthouses and geological features of the Georgian Bay.

Disclosure

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

References

About the Author

Susan Landis-Steward has been a print journalist and editor since 1985, writing for "The Reflector," "The Multnomah Village Post," "The Evergreen Messenger" and "The Oregonian." She has won numerous awards for her reporting and has been published in top academic journals. Landis-Steward has a Master of Science in writing from Portland State University.